Dubai Municipality Standard ‫المواصفـات القيـاسية لبلـدية دبـي‬

DMS 036: 2019

STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR

ALUMINUM COMPOSITE PANEL

This document is the property of Dubai Municipality and its issue is controlled. No part of this
document should be reproduced or copied without the prior written permission of Dubai Central
Laboratory Department.
 Dubai Municipality Standard ‫المواصفـات القيـاسية لبلـدية دبـي‬
DMS 36: 2019

Revision History

Issue Date Revision Revision Description

23-09-2019 0 Issue for use

Rev. (0) 1 Issue Date: 23/09/2019

 Dubai Municipality Standard ‫المواصفـات القيـاسية لبلـدية دبـي‬
DMS 36: 2019

Title of DMS:
Standard Specification for Aluminum Composite Panel

This Dubai Municipality Standard is:

Prepared by: SAMEER DARWEESH ALBOJOOQ,

MARIAM MOHAMMED MUBARAK ALKHAROUSI

Rev. (0) 2 Issue Date: 23/09/2019

 Dubai Municipality Standard ‫المواصفـات القيـاسية لبلـدية دبـي‬
DMS 36: 2019

Table of Contents

FOREWORD 4

1 SCOPE 5

2 REFERENCES 5

3 TERMS & DEFINITIONS 5

4 CLASSIFICATION: 7

5 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 7

6 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 9

7 OTHER METAL SKIN 11

8 FACTORY PRODUCTION CONTROL 11

9 EVALUATION OF CONFORMITY 13

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Foreword

With a view to have a comprehensive set of Dubai Municipality Standards which would be
consistent and fulfill local needs and yet be at par with International requirements, Dubai
Central Laboratory is developing standards taking guidance as much possible and required
from International and Regional Norms.
This Dubai Municipality Standard (DMS) describe a classification, specification and test
method required for ALUMINUM Composite Panel.
The standard has been prepared under the scheme of standardization of calibration/test
procedures for use of DCL laboratories and by other interested persons/organizations. The
standard is issued after validation.
This procedure combines essential features and specification requirements of International
practices. It has been developed in such a way as to provide as much information about the
operating characteristics of the measured. Attempts have been made to make the contents
user friendly.

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1 Scope

This standard describes a classification, specification and test method required for
Aluminum Composite Panels when used for constructing curtain walls façade
(external & internal) for buildings.
The following regulations or other relevant national Regulations may be referred for
in this standard:

 Al SA’FAT Dubai Green Building Evaluation System – 2017

This standard does not cover the following:

 Roofs and roof cladding;

 Thermal insulation panels

2 References

The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this

document and are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the
edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies. The titles of these references are
listed in the last page.

3 Terms & Definitions

This following terms and definitions are applicable to this standard.

3.1 Aluminum Composite Panels (ACP):

Factory-manufactured panels consisting of Aluminum skins bonded to both faces of a

“Non-combustible mineral filled core”. The core material can be:

 mineral material (such as magnesium oxide, aluminum hydroxide…etc)

 low-density polyethylene thermoplastic fire rated (LDPE -FR)
 Corrugated aluminum sheets with minimum thickness of 0.2 mm

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3.2 Skin :

Flat, thin Aluminum sheet with specified thicknesses.

3.3 Aluminum skin

Non-corrosive special grade aluminum sheets with minimum of 0.5 mm thickness

complying with the specification of 3000 or 5000 series as per ASTM B 209.

3.4 LDPE –FR :

Low-Density Polyethylene Thermoplastic Fire Rated

3.5 PVDF:

Is the abbreviation for polyvinylidene fluoride, which can also be referred to as PVF2.
This polymer is part of a class of materials known as fluorocarbons or fluoropolymers,
which are characterized by high thermal stability and excellent chemical resistance

A thermo-cured system composed of specially formulated inhibitive primer,

fluoropolymer color coat containing not less than 70% polyvinylidene fluoride resin
by weight; complying AAMA 2605.

3.6 Core

Layer of material, having FR properties, which is bonded between two Aluminum

faces.

3.7 bond, bonding

Adhesion between the face(s) and the core normally provided by an adhesive. The
adhesion between the core and the faces of the panel has a fundamental role in the
satisfactory performance of the panel. The surface preparation of the facing material
shall be appropriate for the adhesive or the method of adhesion.

3.8 Adhesive

Any non metallic substance applied to the skin surface of the sandwich panel core
that binds them together and resists their separation.

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3.9 Protective film

An easy-to-peel film to protect the cladding system from the construction dust,
stains or damages during transportation, fabrication, installation and handling.

3.10 Durability

Ability of the panel to withstand the environmental effects and accommodate the
consequent decrease in. mechanical strength with time caused by factors such as
temperature, humidity, cycles and their various combinations.

4 Classification:
ACP is classified flame-retardant type by combustion performance:

4.1 ACP- B composed of low density polyethylene with at least 75% of mineral material.
4.2 ACP-A2 composed of at least 90% of mineral material with low density polyethylene
or corrugated aluminum sheets.
4.3 ACP-A2 composed of corrugated aluminum sheets.

5 General Requirements

5.1 Requirements for materials

5.1.1 Aluminum coil(sheet) :
Shall be alloy products with higher corrosion resistance and mechanical property
(such as 3000 series, or 5000 series) with a minimum thickness of 0.5 mm. The
Aluminum coil shall be treated with cleaning and chemical pretreatment to remove oil
stain.
5.1.2 Coating materials
For panel should be fluorocarbon resin with favorable weather resistance, or other
coating materials with equivalent or outstanding performance.

Note 1: fluorocarbon resin Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) is widely use at present, but pure
PVDF resin should not be coated on the aluminum and it should be combined with other
materials to change the coating performance, so it is called as 70% fluorocarbon resin.

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5.1.3 Core Material

a. Composed of low density polyethylene with at least 75% of mineral material
(classified B).
b. Composed of at least 90% of mineral material with low density polyethylene
(classified A2).
c. Corrugated aluminum sheets with minimum thickness of 0.2 mm (classified A2).

The core materials of ACP shall meet any of the following requirements for fire
performance:
 Class B,A2, as per EN 13501-1

5.1.4 Composite binding film used between core material and aluminum product shall be
fire retardant.
5.2 Dimensions and tolerance
5.2.1 Commonly used specifications and sizes of panel are as following:
 Length: 2000, 2440, 3000, 3200 mm.
 Width: 1220, 1250, 1500 mm.
 Minimum Thickness: 4 mm.
Note: Length and width of panel shall be decided between relevant parties.

5.2.2 The tolerances for length, width, straightness and squareness of edges shall Comply
with the requirements listed in Table 1
Table 1: Tolerances for length, width, straightness and squareness of edges

Item Tolerances
Length/mm ±3
Width/mm ±2
Thickness/mm ±0.2
Diagonal Line Differential/mm ≤5
Side Straightness/(mm/m) ≤1
Warp Degree/(mm/m) ≤5

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5.3 Aluminum skin physical properties

The below mentioned physical properties shall comply with the values specified in table 2

Table 2: Aluminum skin thickness and Coating Thickness values

Physical Properties Test Method Requirements

Thickness - Aluminum skin (top and bottom) Caliper ≥ 0.50 mm

Tensile strength ASTM E 08 ≥170 MPA
Elongation % ASTM E 08 ≥7
ASTM B209- Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate

6 Performance requirements

The performance of ACP shall meet the requirements in Table 3

Table 3: Performance requirements

S/NO. Property Test method Requirement

1 Thickness of panels Calibrated Caliper ±0.2 mm
2 Weight of panels Calibrated weighing device ± 5% from Declared value
3 Coating thickness ASTM D 1400 ≥25 μm
4 Abrasion resistance ASTM D 968 (Method A) ≥ 50 L/mil
5 Pencil hardness ASTM D 3363 ≥H
Coating Film
6 AAMA 2605 (Clause 7.4) No loss of adhesion (0% failure)
adhesion
7 Impact resistance AAMA 2605 (Clause 7.5) No removal of film from substrate
8 Shear strength ASTM C 273 ≥ 3.2 MPa
9 Gloss at 60o ASTM D 523 ± 5% from Declared value
10 Bend test ASTM D 522 2T (No Cracks)
Peel off test Peel off test (ASTM D903) > 08 kg /25 mm for B
11
> 11 kg /25 mm for A2
Panel tensile ASTM E 08 ≥50 MPa
12
strength
13 Punch shear test ASTM D 732 ≥20 MPa

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Corrosion resistance:
1. Humidity resistance: No
1. Humidity formation of blisters to extent
resistance for 4000 greater than “Few” blisters size #*
hrs at 38ºC and as shown in Fig. 4 of ASTMD 714.
100%RH in
14 accordance with AAMA 2605 2. Salt spray resistance: Minimum
ASTM D 2247 or rating of 7 on scribe or cut edges,
ASTM D 4585. and a minimum blister rating of 8
within the test specimen field in
2. Salt spray accordance with Table 1 & 2 of
resistance ASTM B AAMA 2605 an
117
 shear strength no effects when
test as per ASTM C 273
 film adhesion no effects when
Weathering test as per AAMA 2605 (Clause
15 ASTM C 481 (Cycle A)
resistance 7.4)
 Impact resistance no effects when
test as per AAMA 2605 (Clause
7.5)
Temperature for
16 ASTM D 648 ≥100 o C
thermal deformation
17 Thermal conductivity ASTM C 518 Declare value
Linear thermal ASTM D696 ≥ 2.4 mm/m/c0
18
expansion coefficient

Reaction to fire
19 UAE fire safety code Approval from DCD as per fire code
classification

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7 Other Metal Skin

Any other Metal skin such as Stainless Steel, Titanium …etc shall meet the physical
requirements.

8 Factory production control

The organization shall implement a factory production control (FPC) system to

ensure that products placed on the market conform to the declared performance
characteristics. The FPC system shall consist of procedures, inspections and tests to
control all aspects of manufacture, from checking the incoming goods up to delivery
and acceptance by client of the finished product. The FPC system shall cover as
minimum the following:

8.1 Personnel – The organization shall be able to demonstrate that the personnel
assigned to carry out tasks that will affect the quality and conformity of the finished
product shall have appropriate competencies, responsibilities and authority.

a) Tasks and responsibilities shall be documented;

b) Competencies and trainings records are maintained;
c) Training needs are identified and training plans are prepared and
implemented.

Note: Personnel requiring special qualifications shall satisfy the relevant

requirements

8.2 Equipment – The organization shall be able to demonstrate that equipment

influencing the conformity of the components are, where appropriate, calibrated
and/or verified, inspected, and maintained. Calibration, verification, inspection and
maintenance procedures are documented and records are maintained.
8.3 Structural design process - In the case of structural design carried out by the
manufacturer, the FPC system shall ensure compliance with the design brief, identify
the procedures for checking the calculations and those individuals responsible for the
design.

The records shall be sufficiently detailed and accurate to demonstrate that the
manufacturer's design responsibilities have been carried out satisfactorily. A record

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of the documents shall be retained for a period defined in the manufacturers FPC
procedure.

8.4 Constituent products (raw materials) – The organization shall have a system for
verifying and ensuring that constituent products conform to the specifications and
related documented information are traceable, controlled, and maintained.

The specification for the constituent products (raw materials) used in

manufacture shall be retained according to the manufacturer`s FPC procedures.

a) Related procedures are established, documented and implemented;

b) identification system and traceability are maintained;
c) All related documented information are maintained.

8.5 Manufacturing process – The organization shall maintain detailed documented

procedures.

8.6 Product evaluation - The organization shall establish procedures to ensure that the
declared values and classes of all of the characteristics are maintained. The means of
production control of characteristics and the sampling methods for a component or
family to be evaluated shall be specified. If the component specification includes a
prescribed inspection and test plan for component properties then those
requirements shall be followed.

8.7 Non-conforming products - The organization shall have written procedures that
specify how to deal with non-conforming products. Such events shall be recorded as
they occur and these records shall be kept for the period defined in the
manufacturer’s written procedures.

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9 Evaluation of Conformity

9.1 Dubai Municipality – Dubai Central Laboratory Department (DCLD) is the designated
Conformity Assessment Body for assessing conformity to this standard.

9.2 Conformity to this standard shall be evaluated through, the DCLD Factory
Assessment Certification Scheme and the relevant DCLD Specific Rules for
Certification.

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Bibliography

GBT 17748-2008 ACP standard

SASO 2752: 2018 Aluminum Composite Panel For External Cladding And Internal
Finish
Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry
ASTM D 1400 Film Thickness of Nonconductive Coatings Applied to a Nonferrous
Metal Base
Standard Test Methods for Abrasion Resistance of Organic
ASTM D 968
Coatings by Falling Abrasive
ASTM D 3363 Standard Test Method for Film Hardness by Pencil Test
AAMA 2605 High Standards for Coated Aluminum Extrusions and Panels
Standard Test Method for Shear Properties of Sandwich Core
ASTM C 273
Materials
ASTM D 523 Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
Standard Test Methods for Mandrel Bend Test of Attached Organic
ASTM D 522
Coatings
ASTM D903 Standard Test Method for Peel or Stripping Strength of Adhesive
Bonds
ASTM E 08 Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
ASTM D 732 Standard Test Method for Shear Strength of Plastics by Punch Tool
Standard Test Method for Laboratory Aging of Sandwich
ASTM C 481
Constructions
Standard Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics
ASTM D 648
Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
ASTM C 518
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
ASTM D696 Standard Test Method for Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion
of Plastics Between −30°C and 30°C with a Vitreous Silica
Dilatometer

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